HOEDSPRUIT: Training provided to Town Watch members
He said a good summary of the mandate of the Town Watch is that members are the “eyes and ears” of the police.
Training was provided to Hoedspruit Town Watch members by Captain Alon Bergman so they know the do’s and don’ts.
Johan Potgieter, chairperson of the Hoedspruit Town Watch said that a member of the SAPS was invited to train members with regard to the mandate of the Town Watch. He said it is important for Town Watch members to know what they can do and can’t do.
Capt Bergman from the SAPS Hoedspruit conducted the training.
He is very knowledgeable after years in the police force.
He was previously in Johannesburg before he re-located to Hoedspruit. He was thanked for his valuable contribution toward building the Town Watch into an asset for the town and the Hoedspruit SAPS.
The legal framework is well developed, legislation such as the Constitution of South Africa, the Criminal Procedure Act 51 OF 1977 and others. The Town Watch comprises of law abiding citizens and knowledge about the applicable legislation is critical for the smooth functioning of the Town Watch.
It was made clear that members of the Town Watch can arrest people who offended under schedule 1 of the Criminal Procedures Act.
These offenses are for example:
Treason; Sedition; Public violence; Murder; Culpable homicide; Rape or compelled rape as contemplated in sections 3 and 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, respectively also Sexual assault, compelled sexual assault or compelled self-sexual assault as contemplated in section 5, 6 or 7 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, respectively. Any sexual offence against a child or a person who is mentally disabled as contemplated in Part 2 of Chapter 3 or the whole of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, respectively, etc.
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Capt Bergman cautioned members to know the legislative provisions and to prevent problems. He said members of the Town Watch should not get involved in political violence. He also cautioned against taking photos or videos on crime scenes. Such images can seriously jeopardize the investigation.
He said a good summary of the mandate of the Town Watch is that members are the “eyes and ears” of the police.
Potgieter thanked Capt Bergman and said he will be invited again to talk to the Town Watch.
His time and effort was appreciated.
